How Earthquakes have fared in signing foreign players

SAN JOSE -- The foreign player market is filled with risk, as exemplified by the Earthquakes' record since re-entering Major League Soccer in 2008. Without the benefit of a big budget, San Jose has worked loan deals or signed players past their primes.

But with the acquisition of Argentina's Matias Perez Garcia this week, the Quakes hope they have bought a player who can help change their prospects for the coming years.

Here's a look at past deals.

2014

Yannick Djalo, Portugal, on loan from SL Benfica. Could be a great find if the striker stays healthy for the rest of the season.

Jean-Baptiste Pierazzi, France. Offseason acquisition from the top French league is proving to be a strong addition to the central midfield.

Andreas Gorlitz, Germany. Former Bundesliga defender looked like he had potential at right back until a season-ending injury after three appearances.

2013

Walter Martinez, Honduras. The aging midfielder had two goals in 15 appearances. He made one appearance with a Guatemalan club this year.

Tommy Abu, Sierra Leone. The midfielder played only on the reserve team before being waived.

2012

Victor Bernardez, Honduras. The two-time World Cup player has five goals in 50 appearances, and is the backbone of the Quakes defense.

Sercan Guvenisik, Turkey. The former Bundesliga forward made five appearances in MLS but has not played since.

Advertisement

Tressor Moreno, Colombia. The attacking midfielder struggled to adjust with no goals in 12 appearances. He has appeared only eight times since with a Colombian team.

2011

Simon Dawkins, England, on loan from Tottenham Hotspur. The winger had 14 goals in 53 games over two seasons in San Jose -- his best career performance. He signed with second division Derby County this year but made only 13 appearances.

2010

Eduardo, Brazil. The midfielder played in eight games because of injuries and was released after the season. His career essentially ended after that.

Geovanni, Brazil. The attacking midfielder was brought in from Hull City in August as team's first DP. He played in 12 games, helping San Jose advance to the Eastern Conference final. After leaving Geovanni played on three Brazilian teams in three years.

Cornell Glen, Trinidad and Tobago. The oft-injured forward had six goals in 33 games over two seasons. After the Quakes cut him, Glen played for clubs in Trinidad, Vietnam and India.

Omar Jasseh, Gambia. The teenage midfielder appeared five times over 1 ½ seasons, asking for his release in 2011. He washed out in Sweden in 2012.

Javier Robles, Argentina. The midfielder was signed in March and released in August after playing twice. He then played in Greece, Ecuador and finally for a small Argentine team before his career ended in 2012.

2009

Andre Luiz, Brazil. The defensive midfield specialist looked good in 16 games through 2010 before left knee surgery ended his career.

Antonio Ribeiro, Canada. The midfielder appeared in seven games without scoring. He was cut in 2010 during preseason training camp and finished his career in Montreal in 2011.

Ramon Sanchez, El Salvador. The national team captain had two goals in 13 games, and was cut in mid-2010 to make salary cap room for Sam Cronin. He had three more productive seasons in El Salvador and Kazakhstan.

2008

John Cunliffe, England. The forward had two goals in 12 appearances. He was waived in 2009 and signed with the Carolina Railhawks.

Darren Huckerby, England. One of the team's best foreign acquisitions, the winger was MLS newcomer of the year in 2008. He scored nine goals in 28 games before retiring in 2009 after undergoing hip surgery.

Francisco Lima, Brazil. The highly experienced defensive midfielder was excellent in 14 appearances but asked to leave after the season.

Scott Sealy, Trinidad and Tobago. The forward had two goals in 14 games in '08 before leaving. He returned in 2010-11 to appear 26 times without scoring.

Davide Somma, South Africa. The 6-3 striker appeared four times in two years. Afterward, he scored 12 goals in 33 appearances for Leeds United over four seasons.